BILEVEL POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (BIPAP) BY NASAL MASK FOR THE TREATMENT OF RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY FOLLOWING CARDIAC-SURGERY IN CHILDREN

The authors present their experience with the use of bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) administered via a nasal mask to treat respira tory failure in three children following surgery for congenital heart disease. The three children developed progressive atelectasis, hypoxem ia, and impending respiratory- failure following tracheal extubation i n the postoperative period. The use of BiPAP by nasal mask resulted in a decrease in the patients' respiratory rate, an increase in oxygen s aturation and PaO2, a decrease in transcutaneous CO2, and resolution o f atelectasis. The applications of this technique and the equipment re quired are reviewed.